On Oct. 18, 1974, at Memorial Coliseum, the 21-year-old No. 1 pick helped Portland beat Cleveland 131-129 in four overtimes before 11,409 fans.

Walton finished with 18 points on 7-of-18 shooting, 24 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks in 46 minutes before fouling out.

Geoff Petrie played 61 minutes, player-coach Lenny Wilkens 60 and Sidney Wicks 58. Wicks and John Johnson each scored 29.

Cleveland made more field goals, 54 to 52, and Austin Carr scored 34. Portland won at the free-throw line, 27-of-39, and on the glass, 75-67.

Injuries limited Walton to 35 games as a rookie. Two years later he was Finals MVP for Portland's only title, and in 1977-78 he was league MVP.

Portland Trail Blazers center Bill Walton, 1975. National Basketball Association press photo, resized.

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